DailyPrompt—1816

Oh boy… how do you pick one when you’re 55? 😂

Alright. Here’s one that still makes me laugh every time I think about it.

Almost 20 years ago, we were dog breeders and travelled a lot for dog shows. On this particular trip, my best friend came along.

The lineup?
• 4 kids
• 3 grown-ups
• 5 dogs, safely secured in cages
• A packed camping trailer
• And me… newly pregnant 🙃
(The youngest baby was only 6 months old.)
Yes. Chaos already.

We were heading to a big dog show, and of course — nobody had thought about booking a campsite. Every place was full.
So we did what any slightly desperate, sleep-deprived family would do:
we stopped at a gas station and asked if we could please stay the night.
And bless those people — they said yes.
They even let us borrow electricity.

To the older kids, this immediately became the best camping site ever.
Why?
Because the shop was open all night.
Snacks. 😋

Eventually, after getting the baby to sleep and settling my youngest son (around 4 at the time), we finally sat outside, breathing in the evening air and enjoying a rare moment of calm.
That peace lasted about five minutes.
Suddenly, we heard a loud sneeze — followed by panic.
My youngest came running out, wide-eyed and terrified, shouting:
“MUM! MY NOSE EXPLODED!”
After calming him down and tucking him back in, we sat down again.

Five minutes later…
A scream. 😱
Even louder.
Out he came again, completely beside himself:
“MUM! NOW MY PEE PEE EXPLODED TOO!” 😅

That was the trip.
Exhausting.
Ridiculous.
Unforgettable.
Not because it was perfect — but because it was real.
Messy, loud, loving, and full of moments that turn into stories you laugh about for the rest of your life.
And honestly?
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

💫Maggie

The Afterlove Voice 💫